Chapter 5 — The Ironclaw Cage

Icicles clinked beneath the rickety planks of Frostfall Bridge as the escort prodded their prisoner across. Wind ripped at Ophelia’s cloak, yet her voice—soft but steady—floated back to the mounted captain.

“Your Alpha must be eager,” she said, “to bargain so many miles for one maid.”

The captain grinned through a wolf-fur beard. “Eager? Rurik enjoys puzzles. You’re a curious piece.”

“Pieces can cut,” she murmured.

He barked a laugh. “We’ll see.”

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#### Stone Teeth at Dawn

Ironclaw Fortress rose from the mountains like a broken crown—jagged walls, soot-black towers, and portcullis fangs that snapped shut behind the party. Inside the bailey, soldiers sparred while kennel hounds snarled behind iron bars. Ophelia’s chains rattled a timid counter-melody.

A silver-helmed warrior dismounted. “Bring the hostage to the keep. Alpha Rurik wants his entertainment fed and watered.”

“Entertainment?” Ophelia echoed.

“Pray you’re amusing.”